Theories of Global Warming

~Provence~

You would expect a February night in Ohio to be much more chilled than this. Heck, I was more alarmed than anybody. Well, I used to be at least... Until it became our normal everyday lives.

I heaved a sigh as my three buddies and I sat on the park bench, dreading going home. There was warm sweat sliding down my oily body as I chugged the last drop of water from my carrot colored bottle. Nights like these were always difficult. Sure, we were tired. You could even say we were exhausted, but staying outside in the park was a lot better than going back inside to where it was as hot as the Sahara.

A buzz sounds as a light illuminates from Terry's jean pocket. The caramel headed boy sighed as he dug it out his phone and put it to his ear.

"Hey mom," Terry moaned, heaving a sigh. I made eye contact with Lee and Arum, knowing what his mom was calling for. "Don't worry. I'm just at the park with Arum, Lee, and Provence." Lee punched him in the arm. "Ow... But mom, it's so hot!" Terry whined. He distanced his phone from his ear as his mom began to chew him out. "Okay, okay, fine. I'll be home in a half an hour," he gave in before hanging up the phone.

"Come on, dude," I moaned, "don't go home."

"Wish I didn't have to but my mom is getting worried," Terry sighed, standing up, leaving a pool of sticky sweat in his space on the rickety park bench.

"Okay, mama's boy," Lee spat, as he leaned his wiry body back in his seat.

I always personally saw Lee as a waste of talent. He had every benefit a young teenager could possibly have. A strong body, secure mind, neatly combed dark chocolate hair, great friends, if I do say so myself, and outstanding health. Yet he wastes it all on stupid conspiracy studies, having a rude attitude, and damaging himself by constantly drinking coke and getting into his dad's packages of cigarettes. Although, I do have to say, he has enough self-respect to never smoke in front of us. Probably out of embarrassment and shame.

An intense blaring alarm sounded, breaking the stillness of the air. I stood up, my legs shaking. We were all conscious of what was happening.

"Okay, maybe we should all go home now," I got an ashy taste as soon as I opened my mouth, which made me slightly gag. Arum, the albino of our group, bit her lip, and stood up as well, Lee following.

The noise kept getting louder and louder, causing all of us to scream our rushed goodbyes to each other.

I dashed down the street, occasionally having to dodge a car, or a pothole in the road that the government didn't bother patching up. It felt like the sound was chasing me... But it wasn't. Just louder. It was just getting louder, but I ran anyways.

"What if it was my house this time? What would happen? What if my parents were inside? The only one of my friends that have room in their houses for spare people is Lee. Would he let me in though?" were the only continuous thoughts that flooded through my mind.

I abruptly stopped in front of my house. A load of bricks lifted off my shoulders. My house was perfectly fine. I sighed in relief.

For the past 5 years, ever since the Earth appeared to become drastically warmer, there had been more forrest and house fires than usual. 3 years ago, the fire department convinced the town hall to play a blaring siren over the loud speakers to warn people and to scare them enough for them to believe that global warming is an actual issue. Our town is interesting, that's for sure.

I opened the creaky brown door of my house to find my dad's face buried in his hands, and my mom looking into the distance with a solemn look on her wrinkled face.

"What happened?" I questioned. My heavy backpack seemed to make me slow down as I hesitantly approached my parents. When they didn't answer me, I interrogated them further. "Whose house burnt down?"